15 Best Bus Tours of London Compared (2026 Guide)

Are you considering a bus tour of London? Not sure what is available or which one is the best for you? We have you covered in our complete guide to the best bus tours of London

London has more bus tours on offer than any first-time visitor could hope to compare, from hop-on hop-off sightseeing loops to afternoon tea buses, night tours, Christmas lights tours and even a comedy ghost bus. In this guide we break down the best bus tours of London side by side, so you can quickly pick the one that suits your trip. For each tour we have compared the duration, the price, whether a river cruise is included, wheelchair access and who it is best for.

A bus tour is a perfect introduction to London and is a great way to get oriented with the city without being too tiring. One option is to walk between all the main sights, landmarks and attractions but this can be hard work if you are not used to so much walking. The Tube is another great way to get around London but as you will be underground you won’t see anything!

An added bonus on many of the available tours is the live guides or audio commentaries on board. These help you to learn about the city’s history, culture, and architecture as you travel around. Many are multilingual too.

Some of the bus tours include a free cruise too which is an added bonus if you would like to see London from the comfort of a boat. (You can find my comparison guide to the best London boat trips and cruises here!

We have included the best hop-on hop-off London bus tours, Christmas bus tours, night bus tours, afternoon tea London bus tours and even a comedy ghost-themed bus tour and a Bar Bus! Plenty of choices and I am sure you will find at least one bus tour for your London visit.

🏆 Summary of the best bus tours of London

For a closer look at the four hop-on hop-off companies, our London Travel Planning guide to the London hop-on hop-off bus compares every ticket, which route passes which sight, child fares and wheelchair access side by side.

City Sightseeing London Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

*When you purchase a 24-hour, 48-hour, or 72-hour ticket

Discover London’s most iconic sights on this hop-on hop-off city tour. An onboard audio commentary will get you up to speed on the city’s history and culture as you enjoy panoramic views.

Good to know

• On the Red Route the first tour leaves at 8.50am and the last full loop at 5pm
• Buses run every 20 minutes until 3.30pm, then every 30 minutes
• Take the full loop over 2.5 hours (without stopping off)

Click to book the City Sightseeing London Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Big Bus Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

See London’s famous landmarks and listen to the audio commentary (available in 7 languages) as you go. Hop off and explore at leisure before hopping back on for your next stop. The 1-day ticket is bus only. The 24-hour ticket adds a one-way Thames cruise between Westminster and Tower Pier, and there are two 48-hour tickets: one adds three guided walking tours, the other a 75-minute evening tour with a live guide. There is no 72-hour ticket.

Good to know

• Three routes: the Red and Blue routes, plus the Green Link between King’s Cross, the British Museum, Covent Garden and Westminster Pier
• Wheelchair users need to contact Big Bus before travel with the width and weight of the chair, and mobility scooters cannot be carried

Click to book the Big Bus Open-Top Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Tour

Golden Tours Gray Line Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Golden Tours (operating as Gray Line London) is a good-value hop-on hop-off option that covers London’s major sights across three routes: Blue for the central landmarks, Red for the centre and north including Regent’s Park and King’s Cross, and Orange for the South Kensington museums and Harrods. Tickets come in 4-hour, 1-day, 24, 48 and 72-hour options, and the cruise versions include a one-way Thames cruise you can take any time within 7 days of your first bus ride.

Good to know

• Recorded commentary in 12 languages, plus live English-speaking guides on selected Blue Route departures
• Each bus has space for one wheelchair and one folded pushchair on the lower deck
• The 4-hour ticket is a budget-friendly way to see the highlights if you are short on time

Click to book the Golden Tours Gray Line Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

London Panoramic Bus Tour

Panoramic 2 hours tour of London’s famous landmarks. This is not a hop-on hop-off bus so you will need to stay on the bus for the duration of the tour.

Good to know

• Multilingual audio guide in 11 languages.
• Live tour guide (English)

Click to book the London Panoramic Bus Tour

Tootbus London Discovery Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Board the bus at one of the conveniently located stops in central London and enjoy the views of London’s most famous sights and landmarks as you travel around the city. This is our top pick for families. The Tootbus has a dedicated kids audio guide alongside the adult commentary, and under 5s travel free on a parent’s lap.

Good to know

• Separate audio commentary for adults and kids on board
• Free earphones and wi-fi on board the bus
• The cheaper London Discovery ticket has no cruise; choose the Must See London ticket for a 24-hour Thames river pass
• The Tootbus app is not currently available in London, but six self-guided walking tours come through the Pop Guide app

Click to book the Tootbus London Discovery Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

London Tootbus Bar Bus

Fancy a rooftop terrace over London? Why not try the Bar Bus and enjoy the most original of them all!

Good to know

• Don’t forget your ID if you look like you are under 25!

Click to book the London Tootbus Bar Bus

Big London Ticket: London Eye, Big Bus & Thames River Cruise

Enjoy the top sights and landmarks of London plus some additional extras including a free London river cruise, tickets for the London Eye and a Panoramic evening tour. *

*Premium and Premium Plus tickets only

Good to know

• Recorded commentary in 7 different languages
• Free wifi on-board every bus

Click to book the Big London Ticket: London Eye, Big Bus & Thames River Cruise

London by Night Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour

Double-decker bus?	Length of the tour?	Live guide?	London cruise included?	Wheelchair accessible?
✅	90 mins	✅	❌	✅

Explore the city of London at night on this 90-minute bus tour. Your guide will provide historical information as you pass St. Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, sharing fun stories about the city along the way! This tour is perfect for families or groups of friends looking to have a great time.

Good to know

• Meet at the bus stop next to the Ritz Hotel by Green Park Tube station
• Note that during the months of May, June and July for the earlier tours it may still be daylight and not entirely dark

Click to book the London by Night Sightseeing Open-Top Bus Tour

Afternoon Tea Bus with Panoramic Tour of London

Take a tour of the best of London whilst enjoying an afternoon tea! Includes an assortment of savoury and sweet treats.

Good to know

• Enjoy a glass of Prosecco or a soft drink
• Seating on the lower or upper deck depending on the option selected
• Contact the supplier 72 hours prior to travel to confirm your choice of menu
• Meeting point varies depending on whether you choose upper or lower deck option

Click to book the Afternoon Tea Bus with Panoramic Tour of London

Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea whilst viewing some of London’s famous landmarks including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey.

Good to know

• Note that there are no toilets on board.
• Submit dietary requirements when booking
• Meeting point at Victoria Coach Station

Click to book the Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

Comedy Horror Show: London Ghost Bus Tour

Enjoy the scariest tour in town on the Ghost bus! You’ll get to see all of the spooky and haunted places in town with the creepy conductor who is your guide along the way. But be warned: he might tell you some things that are better left hidden.

Good to know

• Meet at Northumberland Avenue outside the Grand Hotel
• Smoking, eating and drinks other than bottled water are not permitted on the bus.

Click to book the Comedy Horror Show: London Ghost Bus Tour

London Christmas Lights Tour by Vintage Open Top Bus

Avoid the crowds and get the best views on this wonderful open-top vintage bus tour of London’s spectacular Christmas lights including Oxford Street and Harrod’s Christmas window displays.

Enjoy the commentary by your tour guide as you enjoy the tour.

Good to know

• Meet outside the Grand Hotel at 8 Northumberland Avenue
• Arrive early to choose your seat
• Don’t forget to wrap up warmly!

Click to book the London Christmas Lights Tour on a vintage London bus

Tootbus Christmas Lights Tour

Take this 45-minute bus tour of London’s festive lights and enjoy free access to the Tootbus app, Tootbus Christmas playlist and a Santa Hat.

This is a great trip for children and if they are under 5 they can even travel for free on their parent’s lap.

Good to know

• Meet at 13 Coventry Street

Click to book the Tootbus Christmas Lights Tour

Christmas Lights Bus Tour

Avoid the festive crowds and enjoy the views on this bus tour of London’s spectacular Christmas lights including Oxford Street, Regents Street and Knightsbridge.

Enjoy an entertaining commentary by your tour guide.

Good to know

• Meet your guide at Gate 0 located inside Victoria Coach Station.
• Check-in starts 15 minutes before the departure time selected.
• Arrive early to choose your seat and don’t forget to wrap up warmly!

Click to book the London Christmas Lights Bus Tour

The London Pass free hop-on hop-off bus

Every London Pass includes a 2-day Big Bus hop-on hop-off ticket and a City Cruises 24-hour Thames River Pass, which makes it an excellent option if you are planning to visit some of London’s top attractions during your visit.

Read our guide to the London Pass to decide if this is a cost-effective option for you!